In response to horrifying cases of child sexual abuse, Zambian citizens express their outrage through a protest in Lusaka, calling for governmental action and policy changes.
Zambian Protesters Demand Stricter Punishments for Child Rapists
Zambian Protesters Demand Stricter Punishments for Child Rapists
The people of Zambia rally against alarming rise in child rape incidents, urging legal reforms.
A significant protest took place in Lusaka, Zambia, where citizens voiced their outrage over a shocking rise in child rape incidents. In recent months, several distressing reports have emerged, including tales of horrifying cases such as a father allegedly raping his seven-year-old daughter while she was receiving treatment for cancer, and a five-year-old girl reportedly raped by a group of men. Such stories have ignited widespread anger and concern across the nation.
Justice Minister Princess Kasune-Zulu has weighed in on the escalating crisis, suggesting extreme measures such as the castration of individuals convicted of child rape to protect the vulnerable youth. "These occurrences are distressing and showcase a moral decay that needs urgent addressing," she lamented in her remarks to parliament.
On Thursday, a gathering of civil society groups, musicians, and concerned citizens marched in protest to press for the government to amend existing laws to impose stricter penalties and prevent bail for those accused of child rape. The petition, presented to Vice-President Mutale Nalumango, calls for significant changes to laws governing child sexual violence.
Vice-President Nalumango responded to the protesters, stating, "This is an issue that should concern every Zambian. We must raise our voices against this troubling trend." Popular local musician Daputsa Nkhata-Zulu, known as Sista D, emphasized the need for immediate action, arguing for harsh punishments for offenders in order to protect children and restore dignity.
The issue of child sexual abuse in Zambia has become dire, with the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation reporting more than 10,000 cases of gender-based violence involving children within just the last three months of the year 2024. This figure reflects a worrying trend, particularly concentrated in the capital, Lusaka. The Zambia Police reported that over 32,000 individuals were provided with counseling for gender-based violence throughout the previous year.
The protest highlights the urgent need to address the alarming rates of child abuse, as citizens unite in their resolve to create a safer environment for the nation’s children.
